Sunday, December 25, 2011

Twelve for 2012: Ángel Pagán

Starting pitcher:
M.C. O'Connor

The FNGs may not be sexy, but they are important. And who can have Christmas without an angel? Or a pagan, for that matter. All that tree stuff, gifts, holly, mistletoe, yule logs, and egg nogs are thoroughly pre-Christian. Like you think they had fecking snow in Bethlehem? But we'll let other folks fight the Xmas Wars. Over here at RMC we like parties and happy times and could give a farthing's heap o'gobshite which godly or godless time you prefer. Speaking of happy times, I think 2012 will be some happy times for Giants fans. I think the team is loaded with talent. Angel Pagan, like the man he's replacing, was a part time player until 2010. Andres Torres (I'll miss you, lad) won everyone's hearts, and deservedly so. Here's a career snapshot:

Both men have played all three OF positions in the last three years, but it is the 8-spot that matters. B-R keeps track of games played, starts, and complete games per position. Torres has a 227/163/144 total (1584 innings) for CF while Pagan's line is 276/266/249 (2343-2/3 innings). Torres was the best I've ever seen out there, with the possible exception of Darren Lewis. DLew won a Gold Glove in 1994, not bad for a guy sporting an 87 OPS+. Pagan will probably be a drop-off from Torres, but not enough for concern. He'll be a solid presence with speed and good range. He's younger, too. He doesn't have to be a star, just a steady contributor. He'll probably walk a little less than Torres, but hit a little better and not strike out as much. He won't have Andres' pop, but he'll be a better base runner. The Giants are gambling that Andres' best days are behind him and that Angel has some more left in the tank. I putting my money with the shooter on this roll.